The San Patricio County Commissioners Court voted to begin the process of closing a short segment of County Road 4714 (Bishop Road) after a property owner who now controls land on both sides of the lower portion of the road requested closure and to assume maintenance.

County staff explained the red-highlighted section under discussion sits by water and that heavy trucks from the property owner had repeatedly damaged the low end of the road. The action the court approved was to start the formal process, which will include surveying, public-notice steps and a public hearing before a final decision, county staff said.

During discussion, commissioners noted a landowner-supplied survey already exists but that the county typically pays for its own right-of-way surveys; staff said they could use the county survey to reduce cost. The county will follow the statutory process for road closure, which includes survey work to confirm metes and bounds and a public hearing prior to final closure.

A motion to initiate the closure process passed with no recorded opposition. Staff said the landowner would assume maintenance of the closed segment if the closure is ultimately approved.